There were four passengers in the small aircraft as it sputtered over the Andes: 一架正飞越安第斯山脉的小飞机上坐着四名乘客：

a businessman, an inventor, a priest and a laid -back budget traveller. 一名商人，一名发明家，一位神父和一个靠预算过日子、看起来懒懒散散的旅行者。

Suddenly the pilot entered the cabin and told them the horrible news: 突然，驾驶员走进舱告诉他们可怕的消息：

"Gentlemen, the plane is going down. “各位先生，这架飞机正失控下降中。

I'm going to try to crash-land it, but you must all jump." 我要设法迫降，但你们必须先跳下飞机。”

Naturally, the men were horrified and even more so when they discovered that there were only three parachutes. 当然，那几个人都吓得目瞪口呆，尤其是当他们发现只有三个降落伞可以使用时，更是心惊胆战。

The businessman said, "Sirs, I employ thousands of people.  那名商人说道：“各位先生，我雇用好几千名员工。

Their lives and those of their families depend on me.  他们都要靠我养家活口。

I think you'll agree that I must survive. " 我想你们都同意我必须活着回去。”

He promptly put on a parachute and leaped. 说着他便穿上一具降落伞跳出飞机去。

The inventor rose, already adjusting the straps： 接着发明家站了起来，调整了肩带说道：

"I'm the smartest man in the world.  “我是世界上最聪明的人。

My inventions have transformed the lives of millions. 我的发明改变了成千上万人的生活。

There’s no telling how much good I may yet do. 我还会对大众造多少福难以估计。

Goodbye. " And he, too, jumped from the plane. 再见了，各位!”他也跟着跳出机舱。

The priest was se.rene, and interrupted his prayers to speak to the traveller. 神父心平气和，中断祷告，对旅行者说道：

"I am a man of God, my son; I have no fear of death. “小伙子，我是信奉上帝的人，我对死并不畏惧。

Take the last parachute and save your life. " 剩下的降落伞你就拿去用，逃命去吧!”

"Hey, it,s cool, Father.  “嘿，神父，真是太棒了!

There’ re still two parachutes left.  我们还有两个降落伞。

The smartest man in the world just jumped out of the plane wearing my backpack." 那个自称世界上最聪明的人背了我的背包跳出去了。”